Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz has submitted his recommended budget to the Commission for review. The $136.2 million for the 2020 fiscal year, a 1.4 percent increase of the FY19 budget.
The budget includes just over $100,000 for the Police Department to continue the Mental Health Co-Responder unit that received grant money to add an additional team. Jerry NeSmith is District 6 Commissioner and Mayor Pro Temp. He supports the funding.
“It saves tax payers money. It keeps people out of jail, out of the hospital, and most important of all, it leads them to treatment” NeSmith said.
He said that unit is essential when encountering community members suffering from behavioral health issues.
“Almost 40 percent of the people in jail have a mental health diagnosis,”NeSmith said. “So just like I’ve heard from many other counties, and it’s probably true all over the country, the county jail is the largest mental health institution in any county.”
NeSmith serves on the board for Advantage Behavioral Health System, which treats area residents.
“We have a new behavioral health crisis center, it’s 30 beds where the police, or a loved one, or a person can simply walk in and receive stabilization and treatment, which should result in them being directed into a program at Advantage,” NeSmith said. “It’s paid for with Medicaid, Medicare, or free- it’s whatever the client can provide.”
Advantage serves 11 counties.